Originally published: London : Cape, 1984

Starting-point: Papa and Mama -- Kindergarten, 1922-3 -- Llandaff Cathedral School, 1923-5 (age 7-9): Bicycle and the sweet-shop -- Great mouse plot -- Mr. Coombes -- Mrs. Pratchett's revenge -- Going to Norway -- Magic Island -- Visit to the doctor -- St Peter's, 1925-9 (age 9-13): First day -- Writing home -- Matron -- Homesickness -- Drive in the motor-car -- Captain Hardcastle -- Little Ellis and the boil -- Goat's tobacco -- Repton and Shell, 1929-36 (age 13-20): Getting dressed for the big school -- Boazers -- Headmaster -- Chocolates -- Corkers -- Fagging -- Games and photography -- Goodbye school

Throughout my young days at school and just afterwards a number of things happened to me ... Some are funny. Some are painful. Some are unpleasant ... all are true.' Many remarkable things did indeed happen to Roald Dahl when he was a boy, and maybe that's where some of his marvelous ideas for his world-famous, best-selling books came from. There's the motor car ride which nearly cost him his nose, the terrifying matron who crept silently down the school corridor, glorious family summer holidays in Norway, and the delights of testing chocolates for Cadbury's. As full of excitement and the unexpected as the stories he writes, Roald Dahl's tales of his own childhood are completely fascinating, often very funny, and are not to be missed!

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